Working to Homelessness

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Working to End Homelessness:

National community of practice directory

This brief directory features leading employment service providers who participated in the Working to End Homelessness Initiatives national community of practice. The directory includes providers target populations, program models, services, and contact information. The community of practice is a growing effort and we learn something from every new member. Please contact us with a brief synopsis of your program model, best practices and contact information to join the conversation. Blue Mountain Action Council Walla Walla, Washington Center for the Homeless South Bend, Indiana Central City Concern Portland, Oregon Chrysalis Enterprises Los Angeles, California Cleanslate, a social enterprise of The Cara Program Chicago, Illinois DC Central Kitchen Washington, D.C. The Doe Funds Ready, Willing & Able Program New York City and Philadelphia First Step Staffing Atlanta, Georgia Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, Michigan Goodwill Industries of Houston Houston, Texas Growing Home Chicago, Illinois HomeFront Lawrenceville, New Jersey Homeless Garden Project Santa Cruz, California Inspiration Corporation Chicago, Illinois LifeNet Dallas, Texas Michael Barlow Center of St. Leonards Ministries Chicago, Illinois Mission Waco Waco, Texas Project Hope Boston, Massachusetts Rubicon Programs Richmond, California St. Joseph the Worker Phoenix, Arizona St. Patrick Center St. Louis, Missouri Welcome House of Northern Kentucky Covington, Kentucky

January 2012

Working to End Homelessness Series

Thanks to the Butler Family Fund and the Working to End Homelessness national community of practice for their support, insights and other contributions.

www.transitionaljobs.net ntjn@heartlandalliance.org

The National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN) launched the Working to End Homelessness Initiative (WEH) in 2011, with support from the Butler Family Fund, to shine a spotlight on the important role of employment solutions in addressing homelessness and to identify and disseminate promising employment practices. To achieve these ends, the NTJN conducted a review of literature, met with key stakeholders and experts, and convened a national community of practice focused on employment programming for people experiencing homelessness. The community of practice includes 22 experienced workforce development professionals in 16 states that operate a diverse set of employment models including transitional jobs, supported employment, social enterprise, work readiness training, and alternative staffing and serve a diversity of populations experiencing homelessness. Throughout the course of a year professionals have identified best practices, lifted up employment solutions to serving the population, and highlighted policy and systems challenges to their work.

Blue Mountain Action Council

The Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) in Walla Walla, Washington takes an integrated individualized approach to serving families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. At BMAC participants are offered rapid access to housing and then engaged through motivational interviewing to receive a range of employment and supportive services that meet their individual needs. Employment service options include work readiness training, Transitional Jobs (wage-paid, time-limited transitional work with supportive services), and job placement. Employment is integrated with supportive services, shelter, rental assistance, transitional housing, or supportive housing, and provided by an efficient integrated service team managed under the same executive staff. To learn more please visit www.bmacww.org or contact: Kathy Covey Community Services Director (509) 529-4980 kathyc@bmacww.org

Center for the Homeless

The Center for the Homeless in South Bend, Indiana offers a range of individualized employment and supportive options to single adults and parents with children living in the Centers shelter and transitional housing programs. In the Skilled, Trained, Able, and Ready (STAR) program, individuals are engaged through motivational interviewing and entered into a 5-week job training and retention program followed by a job club and job search mentoring. In the STAR program, the classroom is structured as a workplace and instructors use a flexible curriculum to offer guidance and feedback on job readiness while participants work through adult basic education and life skills training, learn retention competencies, and volunteer at local agencies. Supportive services are offered through referral in addition to the Centers Montessori preschool and kindergarten, tutoring and after school programming for school-aged children. To learn more please visit www.cfh.net or contact: Nancy Coiro Certified Job and Career Transition Coach (574) 282-8700 ncoiro@cfh.net

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Central City Concern

Central City Concerns Employment Access Center (EAC) in Portland, Oregon is one of the organizations many programs that comprehensively work to end homelessness and assist individuals in achieving self-sufficiency. The EAC employment specialists use the Individual Placement Support (IPS) model of supported employment to assist individuals experiencing homelessness with primary addiction disorders and felony convictions in finding meaningful, competitive and integrated work. Participants are offered rapid access to employment opportunities of their choice in all sectors including construction, business and professional services, hospitality and tourism, and retail. Ongoing support, including on the job training, is provided for as long as participants need. Enrollees are referred by Central City Concerns portfolio of supportive housing, healthcare and treatment programs and then served by an integrated team of supportive housing peer case managers, addiction treatment counselors, primary care providers and employment specialists. To learn more please visit www.ccconcern.org or contact: Rachel Post Director of Supportive Housing and Employment (503) 294-1681 rachel.post@ccconcern.org

Chrysalis Enterprises
Chrysalis Staffing at Chrysalis Enterprises is an alternative staffing agency in Los Angeles, California. Chrysalis helps individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness remove barriers to employment and gain the tools and support needed to find and retain employment through readiness training, job planning, and a temporary staffing position (or position in a social enterprise). Participants are encouraged to participate in all comprehensive supports as they search for work including mentoring, job planning, job-readiness and life-skill classes, communication services, work tools, and retention support groups. Participants then enter temporary staffing positions in property maintenance, light industrial, hospitality, warehousing, construction, janitorial and special event jobs. To learn more please visit www.ChangeLives.org or contact: Elizabeth Wilson Director of Customer Service (213) 806-6356 wilsone@changelives.org

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Cleanslate, a social enterprise of The Cara Program

Cleanslate is a social enterprise of The Cara Program in Chicago, Illinois. Cleanslate is a social enterprise business that offers employment services and Transitional Jobs to motivated individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness (nearly half with criminal records). In the Transitional Jobs program, participants and staff begin their day in the Motivation circle and share their experiences in response to a prompt, energize each other through their individual responses, and deploy to work in neighborhood beautification at Cleanslate or in property maintenance at 180 Properties. In line with the Transitional Job, the Cara Program offers inhouse and referral access to retention counseling, career counseling, education, occupational training, life skills training, and supportive services. To learn more please visit www.cleanslatechicago.org or contact: Brady Gott Managing Director (312) 798-6772 bgott@thecaraprogram.org

DC Central Kitchen
DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) located in Washington, D.C. uses leftover food and local produce to fight hunger and delivers 6,000 meals daily to homeless shelters, transitional homes, rehabilitation clinics, afterschool programs, and other nonprofits. Through its Culinary Job Training Program (CJT), DCCK enrolls unemployed adults overcoming homelessness, addiction, and incarceration in a 14 week professional education program. The CJT program teaches the importance of work readiness skills and offers a two week internship at a local hotel, restaurant, catering or foodservice operation. The CJT program assists graduates in their job search to obtain full-time employment at local hospitality businesses and offers a year of follow-up support throughout participants first year of employment. In addition, the Fresh Start program provides transitional employment opportunities for CJT program graduates. To learn more please visit www.dccentralkitchen.org or contact: Marianne Ali Director of Core Programs (202) 234-0707 ext. 111 mali@dccentralkitchen.org Wm. Earl Carter Senior Client Services Representative (202) 234-0707 ext. 111 wcarter@dccentralkitchen.org

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The Doe Funds Ready, Willing & Able Program

Ready, Willing & Able offers 6 to 12 months of wage-paid transitional work experience in positions such as street cleaning, security, and culinary arts to transitional housing residents at their Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Philadelphia locations, as well as parolees on a non-residential basis. All participants begin the program by deploying as the men in blue, cleaning streets and parks, and removing graffiti while undertaking job readiness and adult education courses. They gain regular feedback and support from their case managers and supervisors (who are themselves graduates), learn soft skills from real work experience, and typically transition to sector-based training and skilled work in fields like energy efficient building maintenance, pest control, and commercial driving. Ready, Willing & Able participants work a minimum of 30 hours a week and earn $7.40 to $8.15 an hour with access to a range of employment and supportive service options. To learn more please visit www.doe.org or contact: Valerie Westphal Director of Workforce Development & Housing (212) 628-5207 vwestphal@doe.org

First Step Staffing

First Step Staffing in Atlanta, Georgia serves individuals experiencing homelessness through a Social Security Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI) benefit program, and an alternative staffing agency. At the staffing agency, participants receive job coaching and are placed with a number of employer partners or offered placement within 20 hours through large job orders in partnership with a conventional staffing agency. Unlike conventional staffing agencies, First Step offers a no fee transition from temp-to-hire in order to help employers hire temporary participants. Employment services are coupled with transportation assistance, clothing, and on-site housing units, as well as referrals to other housing and supportive services in the community. To learn more please visit www.first-step.us or contact: Barbara Peters President (404) 577-3392 barbara@first-step.us Tonya Patterson Vice President of Operations (404) 577-3392 tonya@first-step.us

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Goodwill Industries, Inc. of Greater Grand Rapids

Goodwill Industries, Inc. of Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan is a multi-service organization which includes employment and housing programs for veterans experiencing homelessness. The organization provides job training, assessment, and coaching through Goodwills recycle center and stores, in addition to trainings on life skills, computer literacy, resume building, and cover letter writing. Employment services are coupled with supportive services such as counseling, cell phones, haircut vouchers, bus passes and other resources from Goodwill stores. Participants may also enter a 2-year transitional housing program and are offered referral access to other homeless veteran programs in the local area. To learn more please visit www.goodwillgr.org or contact: Lindsay Capel Veterans Program Manager (616) 292-4623 lcapel@goodwillgr.org Theresa Vickers Program Director (616) 292-4623 tvickers@goodwillgr.org

Goodwill Industries, Inc. of Houston

Goodwill Industries, Inc. of Houston, Texas operates four programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness, people living with AIDS, and veterans including those leaving prison. Participants begin with life skills and job search training, followed by job search oneon-one assistance and instruction with employment specialists from job search on through the retention phase. When assessed and considered ready, participants are placed in Goodwill stores and the donation center, Goodwills Temporary Services Program, and local employers. Employment specialists actively follow-up with graduates, offer retention services, and help participants manage worksite issues for up to a year. Employment services are coupled with food, clothing for job interviews and work, uniforms, bus passes, tools and equipment, and valid identification cards, in addition to housing options provided through referral. To learn more please visit www.goodwillhouston.org or contact: Bill Sala Vice President, Workforce Development (713) 699-6361 wasala@goodwillhouston.org

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Growing Home
Growing Home in Chicago, Illinois operates an organic agriculture social enterprise, providing Transitional Jobs and training to disadvantaged jobseekers including those who have experienced homelessness or left incarceration. The urban farming program trains groups of 35 participants in 14-week sessions during the growing season of April to October. Participants receive a stipend based on hours worked and studied, usually 24 hours per week. Education revolves around horticulture, soil science, food systems, and nutrition in addition to job readiness training. Job search support is provided to interns during the program and after graduation. To learn more please visit www.growinghomeinc.org or contact: Beth Gunzel Employment Training Manager (773) 434-7144 bgunzel@growinghomeinc.org

HomeFront
HomeFront in Lawrenceville, New Jersey provides emergency shelter, traditional, and permanent service-enriched housing to over 450 people every night (two-thirds of which are children) and over 7,000 households per year. HomeFront provides employment services to residents including ABE/GED courses, Microsoft Certification, job readiness skills training, job skills placement, and family management training. Employment services are coupled with homeless prevention services (including back rent and utility assistance), emergency food, clothes, housing search assistance, and special programs for children including pre-school, summer camp, after-school tutoring, and recreational activities. To learn more please visit www.homefrontnj.org or contact: Connie Mercer Executive Director (609) 989-9417 conniem@homefrontnj.org

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Homeless Garden Project

The Homeless Garden Project in Santa Cruz, California provides around 15 housing and employment positions on an organic farm for individuals experiencing homelessness. Participants work 20 hours per week at minimum wage in two enterprises at the farm: Womens Organ Flower Enterprise and Community Supported Agriculture. Participants may stay for up to two years in the program, where they receive on-the-job training, assessment, coaching, and a weekly lecture series on life skills and occupational topics. Additional offerings include social support from staff, peers, and volunteers, crisis intervention, and referrals to other services. To learn more please visit www.homelessgardenproject.org or contact: Darrie Ganzhorn Executive Director (831) 426-3609 darrieg@homelessgardenproject.org

Inspiration Kitchens at Inspiration Corporation

Inspiration Corporation is a multi-service workforce organization in Chicago, Illinois that offers employment, housing, and supportive services to people who are affected by homelessness and poverty, many with a criminal record. Through the Inspiration Kitchens program individuals are provided a 13 weeklong internship at two social enterprise restaurants with on-the-job readiness training, job coaching, and skills training in basic culinary skills and concepts, food sanitation and safety, and restaurant service. Participants also have a chance to prepare for a certificate in food service sanitation management for the City of Chicago. Employment services are coupled with a voicemail number for job search, 150 units of permanent supportive housing, group counseling and peer support at regular caf meals, and referrals to other services. To learn more please visit www.inspirationcorp.org or contact: Jennifer Rehfeldt Director of Employment Services (773) 878-0981 Ext. 225 jmrehfeldt@inspirationcorp.org Margaret Haywood Director of Training and Social Enterprise (773) 878-0981 Ext. 205 mhaywood@inspirationcorp.org

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LifeNet
The Fairweathers supportive employment program at LifeNet in Dallas, Texas offers employment and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness with a mental health issue. Participants are given inpatient and outpatient treatment including psychiatric evaluations, medical checkups, counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation, and case management. When participants are assessed and considered ready, they are provided access to job readiness training targeted to specific employers, vocational assessment and career planning, and job placement matched to the needs of specific employers. To learn more please visit www.lifenettexas.org or contact: Joseph Garcia Managing Director (214) 221-5433 jgarcia@lifenettexas.org

Michael Barlow Center of St. Leonards Ministries

The Michael Barlow Center at St. Leonards Ministries in Chicago, Illinois provides employment and supportive services to formerly incarcerated men and women. Participants receive education, occupational and readiness training, job placement, and retention services in a three-story ADA compliant facility, equipped with a commercial kitchen, a building maintenance and construction training shop, and an 18-station computer lab with internet access. Additional education and training opportunities are provided through collaboration with community partners. Participants also have access to St. Leonards interim housing programs and receive supportive services such as psychological and addictions counseling. To learn more please visit www.slministries.org or contact: Lynne Cunningham Director (312) 226-6270 mbcdir@slministries.org

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Mission Waco
Mission Waco in Waco, Texas serves adults and youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness through employment, housing, and supportive services. Staff personnel engage participants in supportive relationships, build trust, and offer them job readiness training, Transitional Jobs, GED classes, job search assistance, and educational scholarship opportunities. In line with employment services, Mission Waco offers emergency shelter, supportive housing, and access to a social service center with meals, clothing, transportation, benefits counseling, hygiene services, psychological evaluations and counseling, and transportation. To learn more please visit www.missionwaco.org or contact: Carlton Willis Program Director (254) 753-4900 cwillis@missionwaco.org

Project Hope
Project Hope in Boston, Massachusetts serves over 1,000 participants per year through employment, housing, and supportive services, primarily low-income single mothers experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. Through partnerships with local hospitals, participants are provided adult education, job search training, and six weeks in an administrative internship with job readiness and occupational skills training. Participants are placed in entry-level positions in patient registration, medical records, secretarial work, general service, and call center work, with access to career advancement opportunities. Participants also have access to an emergency shelter, housing search assistance, eviction prevention, financial management training, child care and other supportive services. To learn more please visit www.prohope.org or contact: Julie Burkley Director of Programs (617) 442-1880 jburkley@prohope.org

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Rubicon Programs
Rubicon Programs in Richmond, California is a multi-service organization serving more than 4,000 very low income individuals and people with mental health issues yearly, including many individuals experiencing homelessness and criminal records. Rubicon provides comprehensive employment services for individuals experiencing homelessness including job readiness workshops, one-on-one career coaching, Transitional Jobs, and job placement assistance, with up to three years of job retention and career advancement support. Employment services are integrated with co-located One Stop Career Center services, 16 housing units, addiction counseling, legal services, financial coaching, and other supportive services. To learn more please visit www.rubiconprograms.org or contact: Rob Hope Director of Economic Empowerment (510) 235-1516 robh@rubiconprograms.org

St. Joseph the Worker

St. Joseph the Worker in Phoenix, Arizona provides employment and supportive services to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness including inmates nearing release. Participants are offered job readiness and resume development, job search assistance, mock interviews, and coached on matters of self-worth and strengths. Support services are offered in preparation for work, including telephone/fax/Internet access, mailing address, bus tickets, haircut referrals, work related tools, and professional clothing in addition to other supportive services offered on the same downtown human service campus. To learn more please visit www.sjwjobs.org or contact: Nina Lindsey Program Manager (602) 417-9854 ext. 3469 nlindsey@sjwjobs.org

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St. Patrick Center

The St. Patrick Center in St. Louis, Missouri is a multi-service organization that serves 9,000 individuals and families experiencing homelessness every year through employment services, housing, and supportive services. Participants in the employment program are provided GED courses, occupation skills training, on-the-job training and job placement in many different settings and industries such as business incubators, green, and restaurant industries, in addition to a wage-paid on-the-job training program integrated with addiction treatment. All employment services may also be coupled with permanent supportive housing and supports such as transportation, work uniforms, permanent supportive housing, rent payment assistance, life skills training, mental health treatment, financial guidance, nutrition assistance, and child care. To learn more please visit www.stpatrickcenter.org or contact: Nancy Box Senior Director, Employment Services (314) 802-1953 nbox@stpatrickcenter.org

Welcome House of Northern Kentucky

The Welcome House of Northern Kentucky (Covington) served over 7,100 individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness in 2010 through employment, housing, and supportive services. Participants are provided employment assessment, job readiness training, and job search assistance. Welcome House also works in partnership with Northern Kentucky Drug Courts and Transitions, Inc. to provide employment-centered recovery services. Employment is coupled with an emergency shelter for single mothers with children, housing, clothing, nutritional assistance, transportation assistance, childcare, social security access, and childcare. To learn more please visit www.welcomehouseky.org or contact: Tyana Owings Director of Benefits and Employment (859) 431-8717 towings@welcomehouseky.org

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To learn more...
For more information about employment services for people experiencing homelessness, please read the Working to End Homelessness: Best Practice Series, our series of guides informed by the community of practice. Service Delivery Principles and Techniques: Helping people experiencing homelessness engage in services and succeed in employment Populations Experiencing Homelessness: Diverse barriers to employment and how to address them Employment Program Components: Considerations for designing programming for people experiencing homelessness Employment Program Models for People Experiencing Homelessness: Different approaches to program structure

For more information please contact the National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN) at 312-8704949 or at ntjn@heartlandalliance.org. Please also visit us on the web at www.transitionaljobs.net.

The National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN) is a coalition of city, state, and federal policy makers; community workforce organizations; anti-poverty nonprofit service providers and advocacy organizations committed to advancing and strengthening Transitional Jobs programs around the country so that people with barriers to employment can gain success in the workplace and improve their economic lives and the economic conditions of their communities. The NTJN supports a constituency of over 5,000 active members and stakeholders across the country. The NTJN is a project of Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights.